Public Lecture

The future of physical science

Dr Peter J. Riggs
Visiting Fellow
Dept. of Quantum Science
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia

Physical science has produced some amazing discoveries over the last hundred years. Yet today, physics faces perhaps the greatest challenges in its history. Data gathered over the last few years by the Large Hadron Collider and the Planck Explorer satellite indicates that nature is simpler than most physical models predict. Physicists now need to explain this simplicity and, in doing so, have a hard look at the way we explore physics whilst still addressing some lingering questions about the physical universe such as:

  • Is life unique to the Earth?
  • Did the universe have a beginning in time or does it exist eternally?
  • Will the universe end?
  • Are there other 'universes'?
  • What is matter ultimately built from?
  • Is there a Theory of Everything?

An expert panel drawn from three different areas within the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences will take on the task of trying to navigate these issues and offer some insights on what physical science might reveal in the next hundred years...

Panelists

Professor Joan Leach Director, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science  

Associate Professor Charley Lineweaver ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences

Dr Peter Riggs ANU Department of Quantum Science

Special MC to be announced shortly.

RSVP to ANU Events webpage. Ticket price includes drink on arrival and entertainment from local jazz fusion band Shorty and Chow.  Panel discussion begins at 6.30pm.

More information

Date & time

Wed 2 Mar 2016, 6–7.45pm

Location

Main Theatre, Union Court Arts Centre, Building #16

Audience

Staff, students and public welcome